Does I Kings 17:21 prove that man has an immortal soul?

Let’s read the verse in question: “And he [Elijah] stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray you, let this child’s soul come into him again.”

The word “soul” in this verse does not refer to an immortal soul. It is the Hebrew word nephesh, meaning “breath” or “anything that breathes” (Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary). This same word—nephesh—is found in Genesis 2:7. Notice: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Notice the word “became.” Men do not have souls—they are souls!

In I Kings 17:21, Elijah was praying that God return the “breath of life” to the dead little boy. God answered Elijah’s prayer and the boy was miraculously revived.

For more proof that men are souls—and that they do not possess immortal souls—read our booklet The Truth About Hell.